Kitty Loves Catnip

05 Nov Kitty Loves Catnip

What is it with Catnip? What a cool plant! Is there anything else our cats love to play with more? I recently received a cool box of dye-free organic cat and dog toys from PurrfectPlay in the mail and you guessed it-one of my cats would not leave the box alone. He even nosed it from the dining room into the living room.

Under his direction, I opened it up to find wonderful fun dog and cat toys-and a few bags of certified organic catnip. My sons stood with mouths wide open when I poured some into an old sock and tied it closed and tossed it across the room. We all saw the cat leap for it and play with it. He was a very happy kitty.

According to Wikipedia, “the plant Nepeta is a genus of about 250 species of flowering plants in the family Lamiaceae. The members of this group are known as catnip or catmint because of their famed effect on cats-nepeta pleasantly stimulates cats’ pheromonic receptors, typically resulting in the animal temporarily exhibiting behaviors indicative of being in an induced, euphorically giddy sort of state.

Most of the species are herbaceousperennial plants, but some are annuals. They have sturdy stems with opposite heart-shaped, green to grayish-green leaves. The flowers are white, blue, pink or lilac and occur in several clusters toward the tip of the stems. The flowers are tubular and spotted with tiny purple dots. The scent of the plant has a stimulating effect on cats.”

But nature has also insured that cats don’t get too much of it. Their reaction to catnip only lasts about ten minutes before they lose interest and about two hours before they become interested in it again. Young kittens and older cats are less likely to react to catnip.

I do know a few people who grow catnip, but I have never tried it. Have you? Comment if you have-I want to learn more. And in the meantime if you don’t want to grow it, hop over to PurrfectPlay to order certified organic catnip and other great organic, dye-free cat and dog toys.

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4 Comments

Be careful selecting the right catnip plant for your garden. I made the mistake of planting a very invasive variety several years ago. (Sorry folks, I didn’t keep the name.) Now, I’m constantly trying to get rid of it. And, I’ve decided I don’t like its scent. Many catnips have a very fresh, minty aroma. This one almost smells oily to me (for lack of a better descriptor). Personally, I prefer the annual/semi-perennial ones that self seed. They’re easy to ID and move to “the right place”…if your cat doesn’t destroy them first!

Flora

Actually, I do miss having a cat friend to garden with. My own cat prefers to stay inside. Our neighbor cat who used to keep me company in the garden moved this summer, so alas the only one left is the one that keeps crapping in my vegetable beds and running away when I say hello. So, no, as much as I like having a kitty to garden with, I definitely don’t want many more “owning” my garden.